‘How accurate is it to say that people in the GDR supported the regime between ‘1961-1985.’
Between 1961 and 1985, support for the regime in the GDR was inconsistent, with periods of great
support and times of discontent. A somewhat successful welfare state, lack of uprisings or revolt and
the ever-pressing threat of the Stasi resulted in displays outward support, whether real or in order to
avoid repercussions. Life in the GDR was controlled by the State but basic necessities were provided
and many felt secure and supported by the State. However, this raises some questions on the nature
of support and presents a need for a criteria in order to judge whether the support from the people
was genuine or merely a façade. Does an outward display of support such as rallies and parades
show genuine pride in the GDR or a nation afraid to speak out? Does a nationalistic display show
support or a lack of dissent due to a generally comfortable life say more? Overall, it could be valid to
say that due to the lack of dissent stemming from a successful welfare state and positive benefits,
many in the GDR didn’t actively dislike the GDR and were content to carry on with their lives.
However, it could be accurate to say that, due to the fear of the Stasi, some of the more outward
shows of support were state ordered or a chance to prove loyalty and avoid imprisonment or
questioning.
In many ways the welfare state allowed the GDR citizen to live a comfortable life increasing support
and loyalty to the regime as more luxuries, security and income kept citizen satisfaction quite high,
provided no one actively spoke against the regime. Despite 14% of housing being destroyed in
WW11, the emigration crisis had provided homes for many, overlooking the often-poor quality and
simplicity. Education up to 25 was free and soon many university students were working class. 90% of
women in the GDR were employed, better than the rest of the world. Abortion was legalised in 1972
and maternity leave was high. By the 70’s, GDR healthcare was the best in the eastern Bloc and a
decade later major diseases such as diphtheria and typhus were almost eradicated. This created
support for the regime as many lived happily, with access to employment, education and healthcare.
Due to government subsidies, many things were inexpensive and available. Many did still envy the
west’s array of choice but, crucially, many missed the benefits of the GDR after the wall fell and
Germany was reunited. This demonstrates that people found genuine happiness in the GDR and
supported it, even after the wall fell and the threat of the Stasi was removed. However, some groups
of people felt neglected by the state, for example, the elderly were seen as unproductive and
therefore were not provided for. Inequality in housing and education opportunities also had an
adverse effect on support for the regime. However, the quality of life in the East was mainly equal,
with neighborhoods coming together and working in union far more than their Western
counterparts. Society in the GDR was different to the West but can’t be described as totally inferior
explaining the actually quite high levels of support for the regime. Overall, many in the GDR did
support the regime due to the benefits of the welfare state, but it was partially limited due to poor
quality and some neglected groups. Subsidies and job security allowed disposable income and
women had far more rights than their western counterparts. However, the welfare state wasn’t
responsible for outward shows of support, it merely prevented mass uprisings and revolt.
Between the years 1961 and 1985, there was a noticeable lack of uprisings, revolts or mass dissent.
Since the 1953 June Uprising, caused by difficult economic conditions and a lack of consumer goods,
which was brutally suppressed, there wasn’t another outward display of discontent. Whilst the Berlin
Wall surely resulted in a reduction of support, in the long term the citizens of the GDR seemed
content with the quality of their lives. However, some historians suggest that people supported the
state and didn’t revolt merely in order to fool the Stasi by showing outward compliance, or
Between 1961 and 1985, support for the regime in the GDR was inconsistent, with periods of great
support and times of discontent. A somewhat successful welfare state, lack of uprisings or revolt and
the ever-pressing threat of the Stasi resulted in displays outward support, whether real or in order to
avoid repercussions. Life in the GDR was controlled by the State but basic necessities were provided
and many felt secure and supported by the State. However, this raises some questions on the nature
of support and presents a need for a criteria in order to judge whether the support from the people
was genuine or merely a façade. Does an outward display of support such as rallies and parades
show genuine pride in the GDR or a nation afraid to speak out? Does a nationalistic display show
support or a lack of dissent due to a generally comfortable life say more? Overall, it could be valid to
say that due to the lack of dissent stemming from a successful welfare state and positive benefits,
many in the GDR didn’t actively dislike the GDR and were content to carry on with their lives.
However, it could be accurate to say that, due to the fear of the Stasi, some of the more outward
shows of support were state ordered or a chance to prove loyalty and avoid imprisonment or
questioning.
In many ways the welfare state allowed the GDR citizen to live a comfortable life increasing support
and loyalty to the regime as more luxuries, security and income kept citizen satisfaction quite high,
provided no one actively spoke against the regime. Despite 14% of housing being destroyed in
WW11, the emigration crisis had provided homes for many, overlooking the often-poor quality and
simplicity. Education up to 25 was free and soon many university students were working class. 90% of
women in the GDR were employed, better than the rest of the world. Abortion was legalised in 1972
and maternity leave was high. By the 70’s, GDR healthcare was the best in the eastern Bloc and a
decade later major diseases such as diphtheria and typhus were almost eradicated. This created
support for the regime as many lived happily, with access to employment, education and healthcare.
Due to government subsidies, many things were inexpensive and available. Many did still envy the
west’s array of choice but, crucially, many missed the benefits of the GDR after the wall fell and
Germany was reunited. This demonstrates that people found genuine happiness in the GDR and
supported it, even after the wall fell and the threat of the Stasi was removed. However, some groups
of people felt neglected by the state, for example, the elderly were seen as unproductive and
therefore were not provided for. Inequality in housing and education opportunities also had an
adverse effect on support for the regime. However, the quality of life in the East was mainly equal,
with neighborhoods coming together and working in union far more than their Western
counterparts. Society in the GDR was different to the West but can’t be described as totally inferior
explaining the actually quite high levels of support for the regime. Overall, many in the GDR did
support the regime due to the benefits of the welfare state, but it was partially limited due to poor
quality and some neglected groups. Subsidies and job security allowed disposable income and
women had far more rights than their western counterparts. However, the welfare state wasn’t
responsible for outward shows of support, it merely prevented mass uprisings and revolt.
Between the years 1961 and 1985, there was a noticeable lack of uprisings, revolts or mass dissent.
Since the 1953 June Uprising, caused by difficult economic conditions and a lack of consumer goods,
which was brutally suppressed, there wasn’t another outward display of discontent. Whilst the Berlin
Wall surely resulted in a reduction of support, in the long term the citizens of the GDR seemed
content with the quality of their lives. However, some historians suggest that people supported the
state and didn’t revolt merely in order to fool the Stasi by showing outward compliance, or
